BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Emphasised the government’s commitment to making the UK the best place for innovation, citing examples such as research and development tax credits, Innovate UK, and the current status of the UK as the world's largest offshore wind market. He also discussed potential cooperation on science and research with EU counterparts post-Brexit.

Expressed concern that Brexit might jeopardise the UK’s top position in offshore renewables, questioning the assurance given by Sajid Javid regarding collaboration post-Brexit.

Inquired about support for researchers amid uncertainties caused by Brexit and current structures staying in place for two years, seeking reassurances on funding for research institutions.

Suggested extending the satellite voucher scheme to enable community broadband projects and underlined its importance as a vital component of business innovation.

Called for an emergency package to address real concerns regarding exporters and innovators due to Brexit, suggesting that current reassurances were insufficient.

Asked about measures the government would take post-Brexit to ensure funding similar to Horizon 2020 was available for Scottish research and innovation projects.

Inquired about steps being taken to tackle late payment of suppliers by businesses, emphasising the importance of both addressing short-term issues and inspiring a level playing field across all business practices.

Questioned Sajid Javid regarding measures to ensure timely payment from the public sector to small businesses, noting past poor performance in this area.

Welcomed the creation of a small business commissioner but requested additional support for SMEs potentially affected by Brexit-induced economic downturns.

Inquired about steps taken to create the Midlands Engine, highlighting successes in Warwick and Leamington and seeking further measures to drive regional prosperity.

Asked how the Secretary of State would ensure that devolution increased jobs, skills, and infrastructure investment in peripheral economies beyond metropolitan cities.

Proposed backing Dudley's plans for an institute of technology as a way to bring new industries and jobs to replace those lost over the past few decades and invited Sajid Javid to visit and discuss these proposals in detail.

Delighted to hear about Sir John Peace's appointment as head of the midlands engine project and asks for assurance that people like Sir John will be considered in preparing the midlands economy for Brexit.

Confirms plans to lead a midlands-only trade mission to north America in September and expresses willingness to include companies from Newark in this initiative.

Asks for an assessment of the impact of the BHS case on regulating insolvency policy.

Reiterates that Britain is open to business with proper regulation, mentions ongoing investigation into the BHS case, and states that early emerging findings will be considered. She also discusses recent consultations regarding corporate insolvency framework.

Expresses dismay at the pensions black hole reaching £900 billion and seeks assurance on Government action post-BHS scandal and post-vote.

Acknowledges yesterday's bad market day but emphasises that nothing has changed and talks about maintaining confidence in the country and economy.

Raises concerns regarding pension schemes after BHS scandal, particularly Tata Steel's situation. He asks for an update on progress made since consultation ended.

States that Government remains open to Labour Members despite disagreements and acknowledges work done by Stephen Kinnock in ensuring a sustainable steel industry in south Wales.

Seeks further support for BHS staff during difficult times and asks how the Minister plans to ensure engagement with local MPs like herself.

Expresses surprise at lack of engagement from BHS but assures ongoing work with DWP to support people getting jobs. She emphasises that government continues despite last week’s vote.

Questions the impact of online sales on counterfeit electrical goods, noting increasing sales through social media.

Details meetings with online retailers to reduce counterfeits and mentions Operation Jasper targeting sellers of such goods on platforms like Facebook.

Highlights local incidents caused by faulty electrical items, questioning the effectiveness of trading standards enforcement for tackling online sales of counterfeit electricals.

Acknowledges dangers from faulty goods sold online and mentions Lynn Faulds Woods' report on safety measures to improve policies.

Asks for an assessment of the Government’s traineeships programme progress and proposes a skilled trades summer school in his constituency.

Presents data showing positive progression rates in traineeships, with 50% moving to apprenticeships or work and an additional 17% going on to further learning.

Discusses the perception of traineeships as second-class career routes and invites the Minister to meet Oldham College members for discussion.

Welcomes Jim McMahon's initiative and expresses interest in visiting his constituency. He also highlights efforts to encourage young women into STEM careers and engineering jobs.

Points out the gender pay gap among apprentices and asks how traineeships can be developed to attract girls and young women into well-paid career paths.

Acknowledges the challenge of closing the gender pay gap in apprenticeship, advocating for early education initiatives targeting primary schools.

Asks if an overhaul of the apprenticeship levy is necessary to improve quality and quantity of apprenticeships.

Confirms the necessity of improving both quality and quantity but stresses the importance of the apprenticeship levy for increasing funding in this area.

Questions the Government's effectiveness in promoting traineeships and asks for new initiatives to tackle the need for increased traineeships, especially in further education colleges.

Morton asks about steps being taken to address skills shortages in the workforce. She expresses concern over certain employers’ dissatisfaction with the apprenticeship levy and seeks confirmation that it is the best way to ensure businesses invest in their employees' skills.

Davies questions the steps being taken to address skills shortages following the EU referendum, focusing on the importance of home-grown skills and the role universities play in developing talent. He asks for assurances about support for universities post-Brexit.

Reynolds raises concerns about the economic impact of ending free movement of people between the UK and EU, asking what contingency plans are in place to address skills shortages resulting from this change.

Ritchie cites a survey finding that 2 million staff have underutilized skills and asks for details on steps being taken to work with businesses to utilize these skills more productively.

Walker emphasises the importance of information dissemination about apprenticeships in schools, suggesting that young people need better access to opportunities offered by apprenticeship employers and FE colleges.

Thewliss highlights the role EU nationals play in filling skills gaps across various sectors, particularly in Scotland. She asks for assurance regarding their continued rights to work and stay in the UK post-Brexit.

Brine questions steps being taken to improve higher education quality, citing the University of Winchester's success with degree apprenticeships and student satisfaction ratings.

Kyle raises concerns about funding cuts for universities reliant on EU funding post-Brexit. He challenges the Minister to guarantee continued financial support or face public backlash.

Elliott praises the Catapult programme and asks for information regarding opportunities for its expansion, particularly in regions like Northern Ireland.

Critiqued the Minister’s approach to higher education, questioning why he is not prioritising skills strategies for universities and FE colleges, instead of allowing unknown providers degree-awarding powers.

Responded to concerns about new higher education providers, highlighting the Government’s commitment to STEM subjects and initiatives such as the Polar Explorer programme. Also addressed the need for early intervention in primary school to attract more women into engineering.

Asked about the role of studio schools in promoting STEM subjects later in a student’s career, both at university and as part of apprenticeships.

Expressed interest in getting more women into nuclear energy and studying STEM subjects, asking the Minister about specific actions to achieve this aim from primary school level onwards.

Asked about EU research funding for universities post-Brexit, pressing the Minister on ensuring UK Government funds replace European funding pound-for-pound.

Questioned the future plans for the Land Registry, pointing out previous consultations where 95% of respondents opposed selling it off due to lack of efficiency and effectiveness.

Warned against selling the Land Registry to firms with links to tax havens, arguing such a move would undermine transparency and independence and make a mockery of Government claims to be tackling tax avoidance and evasion.

Asked about steps being taken to promote apprenticeships in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, and landscape sectors, with a focus on ensuring courses offered are what businesses need.

Inquired about discussions had with the Welsh Government Minister regarding how the apprenticeship levy will work in Wales and when details of the scheme would be finalised.

Expressed concerns about tightening loopholes that restrict companies from moving assets to third-party companies before going into administration, which jeopardises any potential sale and affects employees.

Asked about infrastructure projects using British-made steel, highlighting the importance of procurement rules giving UK steel every chance to win contracts.

Asked the Minister about welcoming branch line proposals in Weybridge and Okehampton, and suggested using British steel in railway construction.

Responded to Scott Mann's question by affirming the quality of British steel and changed procurement rules. She also mentioned a large meeting for key industrial players and discussed infrastructure projects like HS2 and a third runway.

Welcomed comments about UK steel, particularly Scunthorpe steel. Asked the Minister what she was doing to ensure a pipeline of infrastructure projects for creating steel capacity.

Inquired if the Secretary of State agreed that Telford has a great future and is a good place to do business, citing strong gilt market performance and equities rebounding.

Agreed with Lucy Allan about the bright future of Telford. Mentioned visiting businesses across the country and hosting a round table meeting to discuss next steps post-referendum.

Critiqued Javid's complacency about British business, highlighting lost rating and FTSE value. Questioned his presence in boardrooms of key businesses for a secure economic exit plan.

Responded to Mary Robinson by congratulating Greater Manchester on achieving a 75% increase in apprenticeships since 2010 and highlighting the devolution of the apprenticeship grant.

Asked if the Government intended to retain all elements of working time regulations as they protect safe workplace limits, following Brexit.

Inquired about assurance for the aerospace sector post-EU vote with Rolls-Royce and other companies in his constituency.

Asked if the Minister was comfortable with Whirlpool's handling of faulty tumble driers, which had raised concerns from consumer interest groups.

Suggested a meeting with Ministry of Defence procurement to discuss promoting and developing defence industries in his constituency.

Asked for tangible actions by the Secretary of State to maintain business investment, funding gap, and steady nerves post-Brexit uncertainty.

Expressed satisfaction about the return to normalcy with a focus on broadband issues. Mentioned the need for collaboration between government and local businesses regarding broadband infrastructure.

Asked the Minister to justify spending £439,000 on refurbishing a post office in Paisley which is now planning to move to an inadequate location.

Confirmed that £440,000 was spent on the Paisley branch as part of a broader investment plan. Emphasised stability and profitability improvements due to Crown transformation initiatives in Post Office.

Called for Ministers to redouble efforts on trade agreements with Australia, highlighting the UK's desire to become a global trading nation post-Brexit.

Acknowledged opportunities in free trade agreements, especially mentioning potential deals with Australia as an example of the benefits of Brexit.

Asked for continued pressure on banks and other providers to retain high street services for those who require paper bills in their preferred form.

Called for service providers to ensure timely installation of telephone and broadband services for small retailers moving into new premises.

Asked the Minister to provide a date for the implementation of the pubs code, requesting retrospective application due to delays caused by Departmental mistakes.

Announced plans to relaunch regulations for the pubs code with urgency, aiming for its implementation before the House rises.

Welcomed Government support for new universities and highlighted their role in addressing workforce skills gaps post-Brexit.

Agreed that new universities are essential to address productivity challenges and contribute to maintaining the UK's global position through workforce upgrading.

Asked for clarification on how the apprenticeship levy will be allocated in Scotland, noting uncertainty over whether it will be based on employer numbers or percentage of levy paid.

Indicated ongoing discussions with HMRC regarding the allocation of the apprenticeship levy but deferred the specific responsibility to Treasury Ministers for detailed answers.

Noted a 24% increase in manufacturing exports from Northern Ireland to non-EU countries and called for steps to further exploit opportunities for economic growth through international trade.

Acknowledged the positive trend in manufacturing export volumes, employment, and export increases in Northern Ireland, reinforcing plans for free trade agreements post-Brexit.

Called on the Business Secretary to make a statement regarding HS2's impact on economic resources and industry chaos due to Brexit uncertainties.

Complained about an excessive number of emails from Team Trump, requesting intervention from the Parliamentary Digital Service to block such communications.